Electronic device and coordinate detecting method

ABSTRACT

An electronic device includes a housing, a display, an electrostatic-capacitance touch panel, a transparent member that protects the touch panel, and a depression detector. The touch panel is configured to detect a pair of two-dimensional coordinates indicated by an indicator having predetermined conductivity, wherein when the touch panel detects a plurality of pairs of two-dimensional coordinates and when the depression detector detects a predetermined amount of deformation, at least one pair of two-dimensional coordinates detected during a predetermined time period prior to a time when the deformation is detected is validated; and a pair of two-dimensional coordinates detected before the predetermined time period prior to the time when the deformation is detected, is not validated, wherein the predetermined time period does not include a deformation of an amount equal to or greater than the predetermined amount of deformation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/451,576 which claims the benefit of JapanesePatent Application No. 2013-164960, filed on Aug. 8, 2013, and JapanesePatent Application No. 2014-110345, filed on May 28, 2014, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic device provided with atouch panel and also to a coordinate detecting method.

BACKGROUND ART

Electronic devices each provided with a touch panel, such as smartphonesand tablets have been widespread. Such electronic devices include thoseprovided with an electrostatic-capacitance touch panel, which canreceive not only “touch operation” performed by finger(s) of a bare handdirectly touching the surface of the touch panel, but also “hoveroperation” performed by the finger at a predetermined height from thesurface of the touch panel without the finger of the bare hand touchingthe surface of the touch panel. Accordingly, the user can performoperation not only with a bare hand but also with a hand in a glove.

FIG. 19 schematically shows an example of configuration of anelectrostatic-capacitance touch panel. In FIG. 19, transmissionelectrode 101 and reception electrode 102 are arranged apart from eachother on a lower face of plate-like dielectric body 100. A drive pulseis applied to transmission electrode 101 from drive buffer 103 togenerate an electric field. When a finger enters this electric field,the number of lines of electric force between transmission electrode 101and reception electrode 102 decreases. This change in the lines ofelectric force appears as a change in electrical charge in receptionelectrode 102. Approach of a finger to the touch panel is detected fromthe change in the electrical charge in reception electrode 102.

FIGS. 20A to 20C show states where the fingers are detected when thefingers are gradually brought into proximity to anelectrostatic-capacitance touch panel. FIG. 20A shows a state where thefingers do not enter an electric field, that is, the fingers are notdetected. FIG. 20B shows a state where the fingers enter the electricfield, but do not touch the touch panel, that is, hover operation isdetected. FIG. 20C shows a state where the fingers enter the electricfield and touch the touch panel, that is, touch operation is detected.It should be noted that operation performed by the fingers in a glovetouching the touch panel corresponds to the state shown in FIG. 20Bbecause the fingers do not directly touch the touch panel.

As the related art relating to such an electrostatic-capacitance touchpanel, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-53971(hereinafter, referred to as “PTL 1”) discloses an informationprocessing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as “related art 1”).Related art 1 is an information processing apparatus configured todetect a degree of proximity of the fingers with respect to the touchpanel and a value of pressure applied to the touch panel and todistinguish between touch operation and hover operation according towhether or not the degree of proximity and the value of pressure satisfypredetermined conditions.

Further, as another related art relating to theelectrostatic-capacitance touch panel, for example, Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2009-181232 (hereinafter, referred to as “PTL2”) discloses a touch switch (hereinafter, referred to as “related art2”). The touch switch according to related art 2 is configured todetermine that “there is touch operation” when a detection value in thetouch panel exceeds a first threshold and to determine that “there ishover operation” when a predetermined time period elapses in a statewhere the detection value in the touch panel is equal to or less thanthe first threshold but exceeds a second threshold. In addition,Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-87311 and No. 2006-323457also disclose related techniques.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   PTL 1-   Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-53971-   PTL 2-   Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-181232-   PTL 3-   Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-87311-   PTL 4-   Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-323457

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The electrostatic-capacitance touch panel detects a very small change ina capacitance value in order to detect hover operation. However, becausea change in the capacitance value detected when a water droplet (as anexample of a conductive material) adheres to the touch panel is similarto a change in the capacitance value detected when hover operation isactually performed for the touch panel, there is a possibility that whena water droplet adheres to the touch panel due to rainfall or the like,this adhesion may erroneously be detected as an executed hoveroperation.

Because the above related art 1 equally determines operation to be hoveroperation when a value of pressure applied by a finger approaching thetouch panel is not greater than a predetermined value, it is impossibleto distinguish between adhesion of a water droplet and the hoveroperation. Accordingly, in the above related art 1, when a water dropletadheres to the touch panel, there may be a case where the coordinates ofthe position to which the water droplet adheres are validated, which mayresult in an erroneous detection.

Meanwhile, the above related art 2 determines whether operation is touchoperation or hover operation, as well as whether the operation is actualhover operation or adhesion of a water droplet. However, in related art2, because unless hover operation continues for a certain period oftime, the operation is not determined to be actual hover operation, whenhover operation does not continue for a sufficient period of time, theremay be a case where the operation is erroneously detected as adhesion ofa water droplet.

Solution to Problem

An electronic device according to an aspect of the present inventionincludes: a housing; a display section that is disposed inside thehousing and that displays predetermined information; anelectrostatic-capacitance touch panel section that allows visible lightcorresponding to display contents of the display section to pass throughthe electrostatic-capacitance touch panel section; a transparent memberthat protects the touch panel section and that allows the visible lightcorresponding to the display contents of the display section to passthrough the transparent member; and a depression detecting section thatdetects deformation of the transparent member, in which the touch panelsection is configured to detect a pair of two-dimensional coordinatesindicated by an indicator having predetermined conductivity and locatedaway from the touch panel section at a predetermined distance, in whichwhen the touch panel section detects a plurality of pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates and when the depression detecting sectiondetects a predetermined amount of deformation: at least one pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected during a predetermined time periodtowards past based on a time point when the deformation is detected isvalidated; and a pair of two-dimensional coordinates detected before thepredetermined time period based on the time point when the deformationis detected is not validated.

Hence, in a state where a conductive material such as a water dropletstill adheres to a touch panel, pairs of two-dimensional coordinatesdetected during the predetermined time towards the past based on a timepoint when operation is performed not only with a bare hand but alsowith a hand in a glove and depression is detected are validated, andpairs of two-dimensional coordinates before the predetermined timeperiod are not validated. Consequently, it is possible to more reliablyexecute operation not only with a bare hand but also with a hand in aglove which is highly likely to be within the predetermined timeimmediately before depression and further prevent erroneous detection ofadherence of a water droplet or the like as operation which is highlylikely to be before the predetermined time period.

Further, in the electronic device according to the aspect of the presentinvention, the predetermined time period does not include the time pointwhen the deformation is detected. That is, the touch panel section candetect a pair of two-dimensional coordinates of an indicator locatedaway at a predetermined distance (vertical direction), and, when anindicator approaches the touch panel section and contacts and deformsthe touch panel section, can detect a pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates of an indicator before the deformation is detected.

In the electronic device according to the aspect of the presentinvention, when the touch panel section detects a plurality of pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates and when the depression detecting sectiondetects a predetermined amount of deformation: one immediate pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates based on the time point when the deformationis detected is validated among pairs of two-dimensional coordinatesdetected during a predetermined time period towards past based on thetime point when the deformation is detected; and a pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected before the predetermined timeperiod based on the time point when the deformation is detected is notvalidated, and a pair of two-dimensional coordinates other than the oneimmediate pair of two-dimensional coordinates among pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected during the predetermined timeperiod is not validated.

Consequently, in a state where a conductive material such as a waterdroplet still adheres to a touch panel, when one pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates is validated, pairs of two-dimensional coordinates detectedduring the predetermined time towards the past based on a time pointwhen operation is performed not only with a bare hand but also with ahand in a glove and depression is detected are validated, and pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates before the predetermined time period are notvalidated. Consequently, it is possible to more reliably executeoperation not only with a bare hand but also with a hand in a glovewhich are highly likely to be within the predetermined time immediatelybefore depression and further prevent erroneous detection of adherenceof a water droplet as operation which is highly likely to be before thepredetermined time period. In addition, an immediate pair of coordinatesis validated within the predetermined time period, so that it ispossible to further prevent erroneous detection of adherence of a waterdroplet as operation.

In the electronic device according to the aspect of the presentinvention, after the immediate pair of two-dimensional coordinates basedon the time point when the deformation is detected is validated amongthe pairs of two-dimensional coordinates detected during thepredetermined time period towards past based on the time point when thedeformation is detected, while the indicator that indicates thevalidated pair of two-dimensional coordinates moves away from the touchpanel section at the predetermined distance, a change in the validatedpair of two-dimensional coordinates is trackable, and a pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates newly detected after the validation andindicated by the indicator is not validated.

Consequently, after the immediate pair of two-dimensional coordinates isvalidated, a newly detected pair of two-dimensional coordinatesindicated by an indicator is not validated. Consequently, it is possibleto prevent erroneous detection of adherence of a water droplet asoperation after the immediate pair of two-dimensional coordinates isvalidated.

In the electronic device according to the aspect of the presentinvention, the predetermined time period is a first predetermined timeperiod, and when the touch panel section detects a plurality of pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates and when the depression detecting sectiondetects a predetermined amount of deformation: two immediate pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates based on the time point when the deformationis detected are selected from pairs of two-dimensional coordinatesdetected during the first predetermined time period towards past basedon the time point when the deformation is detected; when a differencebetween detection start times of the indicator that indicates the twoselected pairs of two-dimensional coordinates is smaller than a secondpredetermined time period, the two selected pairs of two-dimensionalcoordinates are validated; and when the difference between detectionstart times of the indicator that indicates the two selected pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates is larger than the second predetermined timeperiod, one immediate pair of two-dimensional coordinates based on thetime point when the deformation is detected is validated.

Consequently, in a state where a conductive material such as a waterdroplet still adheres to a touch panel, two immediate pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates are selected from pairs of two-dimensionalcoordinates detected during the first predetermined time period towardsthe past based on the time point when operation is performed not onlywith a bare hand but also with a hand in a glove and depression isdetected. Validating the two immediate pairs of two-dimensionalcoordinates based on the difference between the two immediate detectionstart times and validating one immediate pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates is switched so as not to validate pairs of two-dimensionalcoordinates before the validated pairs of two-dimensional coordinates.Consequently, it is possible to more reliably execute operation not onlywith a bare hand but also with a hand in a glove which are highly likelyto be within the first predetermined time immediately before depressionand further prevent erroneous detection of adherence of a water dropletas operation which is highly likely to be before the first predeterminedtime period. Further, it is possible to support one-point touch andtwo-point touch.

In the electronic device according to the aspect of the presentinvention, the second predetermined time period is shorter than thefirst predetermined time period.

In the electronic device according to the aspect of the presentinvention, after the two selected pairs of two-dimensional coordinatesare validated, while one of indicators that indicates the validated pairof two-dimensional coordinates moves away from the touch panel sectionat the predetermined distance, a change in the validated pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates is trackable, and a pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates newly detected after the validation and indicated by theindicator is not validated.

Consequently, after the two immediate pairs of two-dimensionalcoordinates are validated, a newly detected pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates indicated by an indicator is not validated. Consequently, itis possible to prevent erroneous detection of adherence of a waterdroplet as operation after the two immediate pairs of two-dimensionalcoordinates are validated.

A coordinate detecting method according to an aspect of the presentinvention is a method to be used for an electronic device that includes:a housing; a display section that is disposed inside the housing andthat displays predetermined information; an electrostatic-capacitancetouch panel section that allows visible light corresponding to displaycontents of the display section to pass through theelectrostatic-capacitance touch panel section; a transparent member thatprotects the touch panel section and that allows visible lightcorresponding to display contents of the display section to pass throughthe transparent member; and a depression detecting section that detectsdeformation of the transparent member, in which the touch panel sectionis configured to detect a pair of two-dimensional coordinates indicatedby an indicator having predetermined conductivity and located away fromthe touch panel section at a predetermined distance, the methodincluding: when the touch panel section detects a plurality of pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates and when the depression detecting sectiondetects a predetermined amount of deformation, validating at least onepair of two-dimensional coordinates detected during a predetermined timeperiod towards past based on a time point when the deformation isdetected; and not validating a pair of two-dimensional coordinatesdetected before the predetermined time period based on the time pointwhen the deformation is detected.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to, in a state wherea conductive material such as a water droplet still adheres to a touchpanel, more reliably execute operation not only with a bare hand butalso with a hand in a glove and further prevent erroneous detection ofadherence of a water droplet as operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematicconfiguration of an electronic device according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 shows an example of a positional relationship between a touchpanel layer and the finger in the electronic device according toEmbodiment 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of appearance of a frontface of the electronic device according to Embodiment 1;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an example of an icon displayed in the electronicdevice according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view showing arrangement example 1 of glass,a touch panel layer, a depression sensor and a display section in theelectronic device according to Embodiment 1;

FIGS. 6A to 6C show an example of coordinate determination when thetouch panel layer detects water and/or the finger in the electronicdevice according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of coordinate determinationprocessing of the electronic device according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of coordinate determinationprocessing of the electronic device according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 9 shows arrangement example 2 of the glass, the touch panel layer,the depression sensor and the display section in the electronic deviceaccording to Embodiment 1;

FIGS. 10A to 10C show an arrangement example of the depression sensor inthe electronic device according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 11 shows arrangement example 3 of the glass, the touch panel layer,the depression sensor and the display section in the electronic deviceaccording to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 12 shows arrangement example 4 of the glass, the touch panel layer,the depression sensor and the display section in the electronic deviceaccording to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 13 shows arrangement example 5 of the glass, the touch panel layer,the depression sensor and the display section in the electronic deviceaccording to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 14 shows arrangement example 6 of the glass, the touch panel layer,the depression sensor and the display section in the electronic deviceaccording to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 15 shows arrangement example 7 of the glass, the touch panel layer,the depression sensor and the display section in the electronic deviceaccording to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 16 shows arrangement example 8 of the glass, the touch panel layer,the depression sensor and the display section in the electronic deviceaccording to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 17 shows arrangement example 9 of the glass, the touch panel layer,the depression sensor and the display section in the electronic deviceaccording to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 18 shows arrangement example 10 of the glass, the touch panellayer, the depression sensor and the display section in the electronicdevice according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 19 shows a schematic configuration of a conventionalelectrostatic-capacitance touch panel;

FIGS. 20A to 20C illustrate finger detection states when a hand isgradually brought into proximity with a touch panel;

FIG. 21 is a sectional side view showing arrangement example 11 of theglass, the touch panel layer, the depression sensor and the displaysection in the electronic device according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 22 shows a detection area and a response area in the electronicdevice according to Embodiment 3;

FIGS. 23A to 23D each show a table which manages coordinate detectionstates in the electronic device according to Embodiment 3;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a method of inputting detection starttimes and the like to the coordinate detection state management tableaccording to Embodiment 3;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a method of updating detection states inthe coordinate detection state management table according to Embodiment3;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of coordinate determinationprocessing in the electronic device according to Embodiment 3; and

FIGS. 27A to 27D are each a schematic view showing an example ofcoordinate determination in the electronic device according toEmbodiment 3.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(Embodiment 1)

Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematicconfiguration of electronic device 1 according to Embodiment 1.

In FIG. 1, electronic device 1 includes touch panel layer 2, depressionsensor 3, display section 4, storage section 5 and control section 6.Electronic device 1 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet.

Touch panel layer 2, which employs an electrostatic capacitance system,can receive touch operation as well as hover operation. The touchoperation is, as described above, operation performed by an indicatordirectly touching a touch panel surface. Meanwhile, the hover operationis, as described above, operation performed by an indicator at apredetermined height from the touch panel surface without the indicatordirectly touching the touch panel surface. Examples of the hoveroperation include operation performed by a finger in a glove touchingthe touch panel surface. The indicator is a finger of the human or anobject having electric conductivity (such as a stylus pen). Thedescription will be provided below assuming that the indicator is afinger. Further, the touch panel surface is a face which receives useroperation in touch panel layer 2.

As shown in FIG. 19, touch panel layer 2 includes transmission electrode101 and reception electrode 102 which are arranged apart from each otheron a lower face of plate-like dielectric body 100. A drive pulse basedon a transmission signal is applied to transmission electrode 101. Theapplication of the drive pulse to transmission electrode 101 generatesan electric field from transmission electrode 101. If a finger entersthis electric field, the number of lines of electric force betweentransmission electrode 101 and reception electrode 102 decreases, andthis change in the number appears as a change in electrical charge inreception electrode 102.

Touch panel layer 2 (an example of a touch panel section) determines thenumber of the fingers, two-dimensional coordinates (x,y) indicated bythe finger in display section 4, and a vertical distance (z) between asurface of touch panel layer 2 and the finger based on a received signalaccording to the change in electrical charge in reception electrode 102,and outputs information showing these to control section 6. It should benoted that the determination described here is performed at a touchpanel control section (not shown) included in touch panel layer 2.

The vertical distance (z) is, as shown in FIG. 2, a distance between thetouch panel surface of touch panel layer 2 and finger 70. Finger 70 isone finger of a bare hand. If this vertical distance (z) is equal to orless than a predetermined value, touch panel layer 2 can determine thetwo-dimensional coordinates (x,y). It should be noted that although notshown in FIG. 2, glass (an example of a transparent member, glass 11which will be described, hereinafter) for protecting touch panel layer 2is provided on the touch panel surface.

Depression sensor 3 (an example of a depression detecting section)detects deformation (a predetermined amount of deformation) of the glassprovided for protecting touch panel layer 2 and outputs a signal showingwhether or not the glass is deformed to control section 6. It is assumedthat the glass is deformed by being depressed by the indicator and isnot deformed by adhesion of a water droplet, or the like. It should benoted that it is not necessarily required to use the signal showingwhether or not the glass is deformed (i.e., showing the both of a statewhere the glass is deformed and a state where the glass is notdeformed), but it is also possible to use a signal which shows either astate where the glass is deformed or a state where the glass is notdeformed. Further, instead of depression sensor 3 itself determiningwhether or not the glass is deformed, depression sensor 3 may output asignal showing a degree of deformation of the glass to control section 6and control section 6 may determine whether or not the glass isdeformed.

Arrangement of touch panel layer 2 and depression sensor 3 will bedescribed below. As shown in FIG. 3, electronic device 1 has cuboidhousing 10. In FIG. 3, at a front face side of this housing 10, touchpanel layer 2 and depression sensor 3 are arranged. Touch panel layer 2and depression sensor 3 are each formed in a rectangle which isvertically long in a plane view and are smaller in area than the frontface of housing 10. While in FIG. 3, the area of depression sensor 3 isslightly larger than the area of touch panel layer 2, the area ofdepression sensor 3 may be smaller than the area of touch panel layer 2as will be described later. Touch panel layer 2 is stacked on top ofdepression sensor 3 so that touch panel layer 2 is disposed at a frontface side of depression sensor 3.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, the glass for protecting touch panel layer2 is provided at the front face side (i.e., the touch panel surface) oftouch panel layer 2 as described above. Further, in depression sensor 3,rectangular display section 4 which is vertically long in a plane viewis disposed at a back side of the surface on which touch panel layer 2is stacked.

Display section 4, which is an apparatus disposed inside housing 10 anddisplays predetermined information based on an instruction from controlsection 6, has LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 41 and backlight 42. Itshould be noted that display section 4 may include a device such as anorganic EL (Electro Luminescence) or electronic paper display in placeof LCD 41.

Display section 4 displays a predetermined image (for example, pointer,icon, or the like) as a display operation corresponding to thetwo-dimensional coordinates (x,y) determined in touch panel layer 2. Forexample, when the two-dimensional coordinates (x₁, y₁) are effectivecoordinates as shown in FIG. 4A, icon 30 is displayed as shown in FIG.4B. It should be noted that it is also possible to display a pointercorresponding to the two-dimensional coordinates (x,y) in FIG. 4B. Inthis case, it is also possible to put the icon into a selectable statewhen the pointer overlaps the icon. Further, it is also possible toactivate a function corresponding to the icon when finger 70 approachestouch panel layer 2 within a predetermined vertical distance (z)(including zero). The display operation of the pointer and the icon, andactivation of the function corresponding to the icon as described aboveare performed by the instruction from control section 6.

Arrangement example 1 of touch panel layer 2, depression sensor 3 anddisplay section 4 in electronic device 1 will be described. In FIG. 5,glass 11 for protecting touch panel layer 2 is disposed at the frontface side of touch panel layer 2 while being overlapped with touch panellayer 2 as described above. Glass 11 and touch panel layer 2 each have asheet shape and have predetermined transmittance of visible light andallow visible light to pass through a display region of display section4 to transmit through glass 11 and touch panel layer 2. Further, atleast part of glass 11 is disposed so as to be exposed from housing 10,while the other part is disposed inside housing 10. It should be notedthat glass 11 may be integrated with touch panel layer 2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, depression sensor 3 may be disposedbetween glass 11 and touch panel layer 2.

In FIG. 5, in touch panel layer 2, depression sensor 3 is disposed atthe back side of the surface on which glass 11 is stacked as describedabove. Further, as described above, LCD 41 and backlight 42 formingdisplay section 4 are arranged in that order at the back side of thesurface on which touch panel layer 2 is stacked on depression sensor 3.Because depression sensor 3 is disposed at the front face side ofdisplay section 4 while being overlapped with display section 4 in thisway, depression sensor 3 needs to be transparent and have permeabilitythat allows visible light to pass through depression sensor 3 as withglass 11 and touch panel layer 2. It should be noted that depressionsensor 3 may be integrated with touch panel layer 2.

Returning to FIG. 1, storage section 5, which has a volatile memory suchas a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), stores settings when a userperforms various settings on electronic device 1.

Control section 6, which controls each component of electronic device 1,includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), aRAM (Random Access Memory) and an interface circuit. The ROM stores aprogram for controlling the CPU, and the RAM is used as an operationarea while the CPU operates.

In Embodiment 1, control section 6 performs coordinate determinationprocessing based on input information from depression sensor 3 and touchpanel layer 2. This coordinate determination processing will bedescribed later using FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

The coordinate determination processing performed by control section 6will be described below as an operation example of electronic device 1according to Embodiment 1.

First, a specific example of the coordinate determination processingwill be described with reference to FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C.

As shown in FIG. 6A, it is assumed that water droplet 80 adheres toglass 11 due to rainfall, or the like. At this time, touch panel layer 2outputs two-dimensional coordinates (x₀, y₀) of a position to whichwater droplet 80 adheres to control section 6. Further, depressionsensor 3 outputs a signal showing that glass 11 is not deformed(hereinafter, referred to as a “no deformation signal”) to controlsection 6. Because of reception of the no deformation signal, controlsection 6 does not validate the two-dimensional coordinates (x₀, y₀).The term “validation” means that the two-dimensional coordinates aretreated as effective coordinates. Accordingly, processing for thetwo-dimensional coordinates (x₀, y₀) (for example, a display operationof information in display section 4 and the like) is not performed.

After the state illustrated in FIG. 6A, as shown in FIG. 6B, it isassumed that the user performs hover operation by touching glass 11 withfinger 70 in glove 71 in a state where water droplet 80 adheres to glass11. At this time, touch panel layer 2 outputs two-dimensionalcoordinates (x₁, y₁) of a position contacted by glove 71 in addition tothe two-dimensional coordinates (x₀, y₀) which are being output, tocontrol section 6. Further, depression sensor 3 outputs a signal showingthat glass 11 is deformed by depression by glove 71 (hereinafter,referred to as a “deformation signal”) to control section 6. Byreceiving the deformation signal, control section 6 validates only thetwo-dimensional coordinates (x₁, y₁) which are received temporallylater. Accordingly, processing for the two-dimensional coordinates (x₁,y₁) is performed.

By so doing, in a state where a conductive material such as a waterdroplet still adheres to a touch panel, an immediate (last) pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected when operation is performed notonly with a bare hand but also with a hand in a glove and depression isdetected is validated, and a pair of two-dimensional coordinatestherebefore is not validated. Consequently, it is possible to morereliably execute operation not only with a bare hand but also with ahand in a glove which are highly likely to be immediately beforedepression and further prevent erroneous detection of adherence of awater droplet as operation which is highly likely to be therebefore.

After the state illustrated in FIG. 6B, as shown in FIG. 6C, it isassumed that water droplet 81 adheres to glass 11 in a state where waterdroplet 80 adheres to glass 11 and the user performs hover operation bytouching glass 11 with finger 70 in glove 71. At this time, touch panellayer 2 outputs two-dimensional coordinates (x₂, y₂) of a position towhich water droplet 80 adheres in addition to the two-dimensionalcoordinates (x₀, y₀) and (x₁, y₁) which are being output, to controlsection 6. Further, depression sensor 3 is outputting the deformationsignal to control section 6 by the pressure by the hover operation.Although control section 6 receives the deformation signal, becausecontrol section 6 has already validated the two-dimensional coordinates(x₁, y₁), control section 6 does not validate the two-dimensionalcoordinates (x₂, y₂) which are received temporally later. Accordingly,while the processing for the two-dimensional coordinates (x₁, y₁) isperformed, processing for the two-dimensional coordinates (x₂, y₂) isnot performed. In this way, when the validated two-dimensionalcoordinates already exist, control section 6 does not validate newtwo-dimensional coordinates even if depression sensor 3 detectsdeformation of glass 11.

By so doing, when validation is maintained in a state where a conductivematerial such as a water droplet still adheres to a touch panel, a pairof two-dimensional coordinates determined after the validation is notvalidated. Consequently, it is possible to prevent erroneous detectionof adherence of a water droplet as operation after the validation.

It should be noted that in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C, the pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates by adhesion of water droplets 80 and 81 andcontact by glove 71 may remain still or may move. Further, controlsection 6 maintains the validation until release of the two-dimensionalcoordinates which have been validated once is detected. The term“release” refers to a state where the indicator moves away from touchpanel layer 2 and the value of the vertical distance (z) is equal to orgreater than a predetermined value. Release is detected when thetwo-dimensional coordinates are no longer received. While the validationis maintained, depression sensor 3 may output either a deformationsignal or a no deformation signal to control section 6.

By so doing, validation is maintained while a distance between anindicator detected by the touch panel section and the touch panelsection is shorter than the predetermined distance based on thisdistance. That is, when this distance becomes longer than thepredetermined distance, the validation is stopped. Consequently, it ispossible to stop validation irrespectively of an output of thedepression detecting section.

When an operator performs press and hold operation by an indicator (e.g.finger) or performs flick operation, depression on the touch panelsection gradually becomes weak upon the end of these operations.Therefore, it is difficult to determine the end of these operations froman output of the depression detecting section from which a moderatechange in depression is hardly detected. However, it is possible to stopvalidation irrespectively of an output of the depression detectingsection as described above and, consequently, adequately determine theend of these operations.

Further, control section 6 receives the number of indicators and thevertical distance together with the two-dimensional coordinates fromtouch panel layer 2. Hereinafter, information including thetwo-dimensional coordinates, the number of indicators and the verticaldistance is referred to as “coordinate information.”

Further, although a reference has been made to water droplets, the samealso applies to liquid droplets of any liquid having predeterminedconductivity, in addition to water.

The first example of the coordinate determination processing will bedescribed using FIG. 7.

In step S101, control section 6 checks a deformation detection state ofdepression sensor 3 (i.e., whether depression sensor 3 detectsdeformation or no deformation of glass 11) based on the signal fromdepression sensor 3.

When receiving the no deformation signal from depression sensor 3,control section 6 determines that glass 11 is not deformed (step S102:NO), and the process returns to step S101. Meanwhile, when receiving thedeformation signal from depression sensor 3, control section 6determines that glass 11 is deformed (step S102: YES), and the processproceeds to step S103.

In step S103, control section 6 checks a two-dimensional coordinatedetermination state of touch panel layer 2 (i.e., whether touch panellayer 2 is determining a pair of two-dimensional coordinates) based oninformation from touch panel layer 2.

When not receiving coordinate information from touch panel layer 2,control section 6 determines that two-dimensional coordinates are notbeing determined (step S104: NO), the process returns to step S101.Meanwhile, when receiving coordinate information from touch panel layer2, control section 6 determines that two-dimensional coordinates arebeing determined (step S104: YES), and the process proceeds to stepS105.

In step S105, control section 6 validates the two-dimensionalcoordinates which are determined last. The two-dimensional coordinatesvalidated in this step are two-dimensional coordinates indicated by thelatest coordinate information received by control section 6 at thismoment.

In step S106, control section 6 tracks the validated two-dimensionalcoordinates.

In step S107, control section 6 determines whether or not release of thevalidated two-dimensional coordinate is detected. The term “release”refers to a state where the indicator indicating the validated pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates moves away from the touch panel surface andthe vertical distance (z) becomes equal to or greater than apredetermined value.

When receiving the coordinate information of the validatedtwo-dimensional coordinates from touch panel layer 2, control section 6determines that release is not detected (step S107: NO), and the processreturns to step S106. Meanwhile, when control section 6 no longerreceives the coordinate information of the validated two-dimensionalcoordinates from touch panel layer 2, control section 6 determines thatrelease is detected (step S107: YES), and the process returns to stepS101.

That is, when control section 6 validates the two-dimensionalcoordinates, control section 6 maintains the validated state of thetwo-dimensional coordinates unless release is detected even if thetwo-dimensional coordinates change. Further, control section 6 does notvalidate any pair of two-dimensional coordinates indicated by thecoordinate information newly received while the validation ismaintained, regardless of detection results of deformation.

In this way, according to electronic device 1 according to Embodiment 1,when depression sensor 3 detects deformation while touch panel layer 2determines two-dimensional coordinates, only the two-dimensionalcoordinates which are determined last by touch panel layer 2 arevalidated. Accordingly, it is possible to perform operation withouterroneous detection not only with a bare hand but also with a hand in aglove in a state where a conductive material such as a water dropletadheres to the touch panel surface.

It should be noted that, in electronic device 1 according to Embodiment1, when depression sensor 3 does not detect deformation while touchpanel layer 2 determines two-dimensional coordinates, it is possible todetermine that a conductive material such as a water droplet adheres tothe touch panel surface. In this case, electronic device 1 may display,for example, the determination result in display section 4.

Further, while in electronic device 1 according to Embodiment 1, aprogram for causing electronic device 1 to execute operation shown inthe flowcharts of FIG. 7 and/or FIG. 8 is stored in, for example, a ROM(not shown) of control section 6, this program may be stored incomponents other than electronic device 1. For example, the program maybe stored in, for example, a storage medium such as a magnetic disk, anoptical disc, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or a server on anetwork such as the Internet.

Further, while it is assumed that electronic device 1 according toEmbodiment 1 is applied to mobile terminals such as a smartphone and atablet, apparatuses to which electronic device 1 can be applied are notlimited to the mobile terminals. Electronic device 1 can also be appliedto, for example, home appliances (such as a microwave oven and arefrigerator), a car navigation system, an HEMS (Home Energy ManagementSystem), a BEMS (Building Energy Management System), and the like.

Further, while in electronic device 1 according to Embodiment 1, asshown in FIG. 5, touch panel layer 2, depression sensor 3 and displaysection 4 are arranged in this order under glass 11, the arrangement isnot limited to this arrangement. Examples of the arrangement other thanarrangement example 1 shown in FIG. 5 will be respectively describedbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of electronic device 1 in arrangementexample 2. As shown in FIG. 9, under glass 11, touch panel layer 2,display section 4 (LCD 41 and backlight 42), plunger 21, depressionsensor 3 and elastic member 22 are arranged in this order.

In FIG. 9, plunger 21 is disposed between backlight 42 and depressionsensor 3. One end of plunger 21 is in contact with a face of backlight42, while the other end of plunger 21 is fixed to a face of depressionsensor 3. Recessed portion 23 is formed at frame portion 12 (example ofone portion of housing 10) of housing 10. Elastic member 22 isvertically disposed at recessed portion 23 with one end of elasticmember 22 being fixed to a bottom face of recessed portion 23 and theother end being fixed to one face of depression sensor 3 (back side ofthe face on which plunger 21 is fixed). Further, both ends of depressionsensor 3 are fixed at frame portion 12.

In the configuration of FIG. 9, when pressure is applied to glass 11 bycontact of a finger (bare hand or hand in a glove) of the user, plunger21 presses down depression sensor 3 downward (in a direction of recessedportion 23). At this time, elastic member 22 shrinks so as to absorb thepressure on depression sensor 3. When the finger of the user move awayfrom glass 11 and the pressure on glass 11 disappears, elastic member 22stretches to return to the original length. Accordingly, depressionsensor 3 is pushed upward (in a direction of backlight 42).

An example of a position where depression sensor 3 shown in FIG. 9 isdisposed in electronic device 1 is shown in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C. FIG.10A, FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C each show a state where depression sensor 3is disposed in the front face of housing 10 of electronic device 1. Itshould be noted that while depression sensor 3 shown in FIG. 10A to FIG.10C has a rectangular shape, depression sensor 3 shown in FIG. 10A toFIG. 10C is considerably smaller in area than depression sensor 3 shownin FIG. 3, FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B.

FIG. 10A shows an example where depression sensor 3 is disposed in thecenter of housing 10. In FIG. 10A, depression sensor 3 is disposed sothat a long side of depression sensor 3 is parallel to a short side ofhousing 10. FIG. 10B shows an example where depression sensor 3 isarranged in the center of housing 10. In FIG. 10B, depression sensor 3is disposed so that a long side of depression sensor 3 is parallel to along side of housing 10. FIG. 10C shows an example where two depressionsensors 3 are respectively arranged near the short sides of housing 10.In FIG. 10C, each of two depression sensors 3 is disposed so that a longside of depression sensor 3 is parallel to a short side of housing 10.

Among three examples shown in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C, the placement ofdepression sensor 3 shown in FIG. 10A can detect most deformation andcan be realized at low cost. It should be noted that the positions wheredepression sensor 3 is disposed and the number of depression sensors 3are not limited to the examples shown in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C. Forexample, it is also possible to arrange four depression sensors 3 so asto be placed along all the four sides of housing 10, respectively.

FIG. 11 is a sectional side view of electronic device 1 in arrangementexample 3. As shown in FIG. 11, touch panel layer 2 is disposed at alower face side of glass 11, and depression sensor 3 is disposed at aperiphery portion of a lower face side of touch panel layer 2. Further,at a position at the lower face side of touch panel layer 2 and awayfrom depression sensor 3, LCD 41 and backlight 42 are arranged asdisplay section 4. LCD 41 is disposed so as to face touch panel layer 2.

FIG. 12 is a sectional side view of electronic device 1 in arrangementexample 4. As shown in FIG. 12, touch panel layer 2 is disposed so as tofit into the lower face side of glass 11. That is, glass 11 and touchpanel layer 2 are integrated. Depression sensor 3 is disposed over glass11 and touch panel layer 2 at a lower face side of glass 11 and touchpanel layer 2. Display section 4 is disposed in a similar manner toarrangement example 3 shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a sectional side view of electronic device 1 in arrangementexample 5. Arrangement example 5 shown in FIG. 13 is basically the sameas arrangement example 3 shown in FIG. 11. A difference is that inarrangement example 5, touch panel layer 2 is disposed at apredetermined distance from LCD 41 of display section 4.

FIG. 14 is a sectional side view of electronic device 1 in arrangementexample 6. As shown in FIG. 14, depression sensor 3 is arranged at aperiphery portion of the lower face side of glass 11. Touch panel layer2 is disposed under glass 11 at a predetermined distance from glass 11.Display section 4 is arranged in a similar manner to arrangement example3 shown in FIG. 11.

In the case of arrangement example 5 shown in FIG. 13 and arrangementexample 6 shown in FIG. 14, it is possible to separate display section 4from glass 11 (for example, by 5 mm to 15 mm). These arrangements areadvantageous, for example, to avoid contact of display section 4 with anirregularity or the like of glass 11 when glass 11 has a slightirregularity or a slight curvature and display section 4 is hard.Alternatively, it is also possible to dispose display section 4 inside aside face (for example, a door) of a refrigerator and dispose glass 11having slight curvature at a position of the side face corresponding todisplay section 4. Alternatively, it is also possible to dispose displaysection 4 having a large screen (for example, 50 inches) inside a showwindow and use a glass of the show window (glass belonging to thebuilding) as glass 11.

FIG. 15 is a sectional side view of electronic device 1 in arrangementexample 7. Arrangement example 7 shown in FIG. 15 is basically the sameas arrangement example 6 shown in FIG. 14. A difference is that inarrangement example 7, touch panel layer 2 and glass 11 are arrangedwithout a predetermined distance being provided therebetween.

FIG. 16 is a sectional side view of electronic device 1 in arrangementexample 8. Arrangement example 8 shown in FIG. 16 is basically the sameas arrangement example 3 shown in FIG. 11. A difference is that inarrangement example 8, depression sensor 3 is disposed at a lower faceside of backlight 42 instead of being disposed at the lower face side oftouch panel layer 2. It should be noted that depression sensor 3 may bearranged at an upper face side of either LCD 41 or backlight 42, at aside face side of either LCD 41 or backlight 42 or inside of either LCD41 or backlight 42.

FIG. 17 is a sectional side view of electronic device 1 in arrangementexample 9. As shown in FIG. 17, display section 4 includes at leastsheet-like transparent member 41 a and transparent member 41 b disposedwhile being overlapped with transparent member 41 a, and liquid crystalsare held between transparent member 41 a and transparent member 41 b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, transparent member 41 a is disposed at thelower face side of touch panel layer 2, and transparent member 41 b isdisposed at a lower face side of transparent member 41 a. Further, partof transparent member 41 b, which is end portion 41 bb of displaysection 4, protrudes outward from transparent member 41 a. Depressionsensor 3 is arranged at a portion corresponding to protruding endportion 41 bb of transparent member 41 b at the lower face side of touchpanel layer 2.

According to this arrangement example 9, because depression sensor 3 isdisposed at the portion corresponding to protruding end portion 41 bb oftransparent member 41 b, it is not necessary to prepare new space forarranging depression sensor 3, and allows efficient use of the space inelectronic device 1.

FIG. 18 is a sectional side view of electronic device 1 in arrangementexample 10. Arrangement example 10 shown in FIG. 18 is basically thesame as arrangement example 9 shown in FIG. 17. A difference is that inarrangement example 10, backlight 42 is not provided. Accordingly, inthis arrangement example 10, display section 4 has a configuration whichcan display images without the need of a backlight (for example, organicEL (electroluminescence)).

In this arrangement example 10, because depression sensor 3 is disposedat the portion corresponding to protruding end portion 41 bb oftransparent member 41 b as with the above arrangement example 9, it isnot necessary to prepare new space for disposing depression sensor 3,and it is possible to efficiently utilize space inside electronic device1.

Further, the electronic device 1 and the like according to Embodiment 1can also be regarded as follows.

(1-1)

An electronic device includes: a housing; a display section that isdisposed inside the housing and that displays predetermined information;an electrostatic-capacitance touch panel section that allows visiblelight corresponding to display contents of the display section to passthrough the electrostatic-capacitance touch panel section; a transparentmember that protects the touch panel section and that allows the visiblelight corresponding to the display contents of the display section topass through the transparent member; and a depression detecting sectionthat detects deformation of the transparent member, in which the touchpanel section is configured to detect a pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates indicated by an indicator having predetermined conductivityand located away from the touch panel section at a predetermineddistance, in which when the touch panel section detects a plurality ofpairs of two-dimensional coordinates and when the depression detectingsection detects a predetermined amount of deformation: at least one pairof two-dimensional coordinates detected during a predetermined timeperiod towards past based on a time point when the deformation isdetected is validated; and a pair of two-dimensional coordinatesdetected before the predetermined time period based on the time pointwhen the deformation is detected is not validated.

According to this configuration, in a state where a conductive materialsuch as a water droplet still adheres to a touch panel, an immediate(last) pair of two-dimensional coordinates detected when operation isperformed not only with a bare hand but also with a hand in a glove anddepression is detected is validated, and a pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates therebefore is not validated. Consequently, it is possibleto more reliably execute operation not only with a bare hand but alsowith a hand in a glove which is highly likely to be immediately beforedepression and further prevent erroneous detection of adherence of awater droplet as operation which is highly likely to be therebefore.

(1-2)

In the electronic device described in (1-1), the validation of the pairof two-dimensional coordinates is maintained until an indicator whichindicates the validated pair of two-dimensional coordinates moves awayfrom the touch panel section at a predetermined distance.

According to this configuration, the validation is maintained while adistance between the indicator detected by the touch panel section andthe touch panel section is shorter than the predetermined distance basedon this distance. That is, when this distance becomes longer than thepredetermined distance, the validation is stopped. Consequently, it ispossible to stop validation irrespectively of an output of thedepression detecting section.

When an operator performs press and hold operation by an indicator (e.g.finger) or performs flick operation, depression on the touch panelsection gradually becomes weak upon the end of these operations.Therefore, it is difficult to determine the end of these operations froman output of the depression detecting section from which a moderatechange in depression is hardly detected. However, it is possible to stopvalidation irrespectively of an output of the depression detectingsection as described above, and consequently, adequately determine theend of these operations.

(1-3)

In the electronic device described in (1-1) or (1-2), the validation ofthe two-dimensional coordinates is maintained until indicators whichindicate the validated two-dimensional coordinates move away from thetouch panel section at a predetermined distance, and a pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates determined after the validation is notvalidated.

According to this configuration, when validation is maintained in astate where a conductive material such as a water droplet still adheresto a touch panel, a pair of two-dimensional coordinates determined afterthe validation is not validated. Consequently, it is possible to preventerroneous detection of adherence of a water droplet as operation afterthe validation.

(1-4)

In the electronic device described in any one of (1-1) to (1-3), when avertical distance between the indicator and the touch panel section isequal to or less than a predetermined value, the pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates indicated by the indicator is determined.

(1-5)

In the electronic device described in (1-4), the predetermined value isa value larger than zero.

(1-6)

In the electronic device described in (1-4), the predetermined value iszero.

(1-7)

In the electronic device described in any one of (1-1) to (1-6), thedepression detecting section is disposed between the transparent memberand the touch panel section and allows visible light corresponding todisplay contents of the display section to pass through the depressiondetecting section.

(1-8)

In the electronic device described in any one of (1-1) to (1-6), thedepression detecting section is disposed between the display section andpart of the housing.

(1-9)

In the electronic device described in any one of (1-1) to (1-6), thetransparent member and the touch panel section are integrated into onepiece.

(1-10)

In the electronic device described in any one of (1-1) to (1-6), atleast part of the depression detecting section is disposed while beingoverlapped with the display section.

(1-11)

In the electronic device described in any one of (1-1) to (1-6), thedepression detecting section and the touch panel section are integratedinto one piece.

(1-12)

A coordinate detecting method to be used for an electronic device thatincludes: a housing; a display section that is disposed inside thehousing and that displays predetermined information; anelectrostatic-capacitance touch panel section that allows visible lightcorresponding to display contents of the display section to pass throughthe electrostatic-capacitance touch panel section; a transparent memberthat protects the touch panel section and that allows visible lightcorresponding to display contents of the display section to pass throughthe transparent member; and a depression detecting section that detectsdeformation of the transparent member, in which the touch panel sectionis configured to detect a pair of two-dimensional coordinates indicatedby an indicator having predetermined conductivity and located away fromthe touch panel section at a predetermined distance, the methodincluding: when the touch panel section detects a plurality of pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates and when the depression detecting sectiondetects a predetermined amount of deformation, validating at least onepair of two-dimensional coordinates detected during a predetermined timeperiod towards past based on a time point when the deformation isdetected; and not validating a pair of two-dimensional coordinatesdetected before the predetermined time period based on the time pointwhen the deformation is detected.

According to this configuration, in a state where a conductive materialsuch as a water droplet still adheres to a touch panel, an immediate(last) pairs of two-dimensional coordinates detected when operation isperformed not only with a bare hand but also with a hand in a glove anddepression is detected is validated, and a pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates therebefore is not validated. Consequently, it is possibleto more reliably execute operation not only with a bare hand but alsowith a hand in a glove which is highly likely to be immediately beforedepression and further prevent erroneous detection of adherence of awater droplet as operation which is highly likely to be therebefore.

(Embodiment) 2

Electronic device 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present inventionis common to that of Embodiment 1 concerning FIGS. 1 to 5, FIGS. 9 to 18and FIG. 21, so that the redundant description will be omitted,hereinafter.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing coordinate determination processingaccording to Embodiment 2, and the coordinate determination processingaccording to Embodiment 2 will be described using FIG. 8.

While processing for validating only one pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates has been described with Embodiment 1, processing forvalidating a plurality of pairs of two-dimensional coordinates in orderto support operation by a plurality of indicators (for example,multi-touch) will be described with Embodiment 2. It should be notedthat because steps S201 to S204 in FIG. 8 are the same as steps S101 toS104 in FIG. 7, the description of the steps will be omitted.

In step S205, control section 6 validates all the pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates determined within a predetermined timeperiod. Accordingly, the pairs of two-dimensional coordinates validatedin this step are pairs of two-dimensional coordinates indicated by allthe coordinate information received by control section 6 within thepredetermined time period. The predetermined time period is a timeperiod (for example, a few seconds) including a time point whendeformation is detected last (a deformation signal is received).Examples of the predetermined time period include the following (1) to(3):

(1) a time period from a starting point which is before a time pointwhen deformation is detected last (hereinafter, referred to as a“deformation detecting time point”) until the deformation detecting timepoint;

(2) a time period from the deformation detecting time point until an endpoint which is after the deformation detecting time point; and

(3) a time period including the deformation detecting time point from astarting point before the deformation detecting time point until an endpoint after the deformation detecting time point.

In step S206, control section 6 tracks all the validated pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates.

In step S207, control section 6 determines whether or not release isdetected for all the validated pairs of two-dimensional coordinates.

When control section 6 receives coordinate information of any of all thevalidated pairs of two-dimensional coordinates from touch panel layer 2,control section 6 determines that release is not detected (step S207:NO), and the process returns to step S206. Meanwhile, when controlsection 6 no longer receives the coordinate information of all thevalidated pairs of two-dimensional coordinates from touch panel layer 2,control section 6 determines that release is detected (step S207: YES),and the process returns to step S201.

That is, when control section 6 validates a plurality of pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates, control section 6 maintains the validatedstates of the pairs of two-dimensional coordinates unless release of allthe validated pairs of two-dimensional coordinates is detected even ifeach pair of the two-dimensional coordinates changes. Further, controlsection 6 does not validate any pair of two-dimensional coordinatesindicated by the coordinate information newly received while thevalidation is maintained, regardless of detection results ofdeformation.

(Embodiment 3)

Electronic device 1 according to Embodiment 3 of the present inventionis common to that of Embodiment 1 concerning FIGS. 1 to 5, FIGS. 9 to 18and FIG. 21, and FIGS. 1 to 5, FIGS. 9 to 18 and FIG. 21 will not bedescribed.

Touch panel layer 2 has a response area in which approach of a finger isdetected when the finger approaches from far as shown in FIG. 22, andcan detect a vertical distance inside the response area. A detectionarea in which whether or not there is the finger can be stably detectedwithin a predetermined vertical distance (e.g. 5 mm) can be furtherprovided.

In addition, it is possible to adequately determine a predeterminedvertical distance corresponding to the detection area. By, for example,making a thickness of a material of a glove thicker (the predeterminedvertical distance does not include 0 (zero)), the finger or the like inthe globe can be detected, and a predetermined vertical distance may be0 (zero) depending on cases.

Electronic device 1 according to Embodiment 3 adequately switches andexecutes single-point operation and multipoint operation by determininga pair of coordinates based on the flowchart showing coordinatedetermination processing in FIG. 25 while managing the coordinatedetection state using a table which manages coordinate detection statesshown in FIG. 23A or 23B. FIGS. 23A and 23B are described as “FIG. 23”below when not specified in particular.

In the table in FIG. 23, each row corresponds to one pair of coordinatesof a management target. In columns of detection start times, absolutetimes when the finger enters a detection area for the first time areinputted.

A detection area will be described with reference to FIG. 22. Touchpanel layer 2 has a response area which determines approach of a fingerwhen the finger approaches from far, and can detect a vertical distanceinside the response area. The detection area is an area within apredetermined vertical distance (e.g. 5 mm) in an area in which thevertical distance can be detected, and is an area in which whether ornot there is a finger can be stably determined. In addition, althoughthe detection area is provided inside the response area, the responsearea and the detection area may be an identical area.

In the table in FIG. 23, a row of a detection state indicates whether ornot there is a finger in the detection area. “1” indicates that there isthe finger and “0” indicates that there is not the finger. A column ofxyz coordinates indicates xyz coordinates outputted from touch panellayer 2, and indicates xyz coordinates to follow xyz coordinates whichstart being detected at a detection start time in the same row evenafter start of detection and indicates xyz coordinates until the end ofdetection. A column of # indicates serial numbers of management targetcoordinates, and indicates 1 to 10. In addition, the table in FIG. 23can be stored in storage section 5. Further, a z coordinate is a valuebased on an electrostatic-capacitance value of an indicator, andslightly changes based on an area of the indicator.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a method of inputting a detection starttime and the like in a coordinate detection state management table inFIG. 23. Control section 6 first initializes the coordinate detectionstate management table when starting detection (step S301). That is,control section 6 inputs 0 in detection start times, detection statesand xyz coordinates in #1 to #10 of the coordinate detection statemanagement table.

Next, control section 6 determines whether or not an indicator or thelike (also including a water droplet or the like) enters the responsearea (step S302). When there is no indicator or the like in the responsearea (step S302: NO), control section 6 repeats step S302. When there isan indicator or the like in the response area (step S302: YES), controlsection 6 obtains a z coordinate through touch panel layer 2 (stepS303). Control section 6 determines based on the obtained z coordinatewhether or not the indicator or the like newly enters a detection area,for example, whether or not z newly becomes 5 mm or less (step S304).When the indicator or the like newly enters the detection area (stepS304: YES), control section 6 inputs a time when detection starts, inthe row of the detection state: 0 in the coordinate detection stagemanagement table and changes the detection state of this row to 1 (stepS305). Then, control section 6 starts detection while indicating the xyzcoordinates corresponding to the indicator or the like having newlyentered the detection area as the xyz coordinates of the row, and thexyz coordinates of this row change tracking the indicator or the like(step S306). Subsequently, control section 6 returns to step S302.Control section 6 has a clock (not shown) and can obtain the time whendetection starts, by referring to this clock.

In step S304, when the indicator or the like does not enter thedetection area or does not newly enter the detection area even if theindicator or the like is in the detection area (step S304: NO), controlsection 6 returns to step S302.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart indicating a method of updating detection statesin the coordinate detection state management table in FIG. 23. Thisflowchart corresponds to one row of the coordinate detection statemanagement table. Control section 6 determines whether or not the zcoordinate is outside the detection area (e.g. whether or not the zcoordinate is higher than 5 mm) based on the z coordinate of the xyzcoordinates in the row (step S402) when the detection starts and thedetection state in this row is 1 (step S401: YES). Control section 6changes the detection state to 0 (step S403) when the z coordinate isoutside the detection area (step S402: YES), and returns to step S401.Although there are ten rows in the coordinate detection state managementtable, the method of updating the detection states in FIG. 25 isexecuted with respect to each row.

By independently executing the method of inputting the detection starttimes and the like in FIG. 24 and the method of updating the detectionstates in FIG. 25, control section 6 can obtain xyz coordinates of adetection start time and a real time corresponding to the indicator orthe like in a detection state in the coordinate detection statemanagement table in FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of coordinate determinationprocessing of the electronic device according to Embodiment 3. Whendetection starts, control section 6 checks a deformation detection stateof depression sensor 3 (i.e. whether depression sensor 3 detects thatthere is deformation of glass 11 or detects that there is no deformationof glass 11) based on a signal from depression sensor 3 in step S501.

In this regard, when receiving from depression sensor 3 a signalindicating that there is no deformation, control section 6 determinesthat there is no deformation of glass 11 (step S502: NO), and returns tostep S501. Meanwhile, when receiving a signal from depression sensor 3that there is deformation, control section 6 determines that there isdeformation of glass 11 (step S502: YES), and the process proceeds tostep S503.

Next, control section 6 obtains a current time by referring to a clock(which is provided inside control section 6 and is not shown) (stepS503). In step S504, control section 6 determines the number of sets ofxy coordinates which start being detected within a first predeterminedtime period (e.g. 2.00 seconds) towards the past based on the currenttime, among sets of xy coordinates which are being detected (detectionstate=1) by referring to the coordinate detection state management tablein FIG. 23.

In addition, the first predetermined time period may include the currenttime or may not include the current time.

When the number of sets of xy coordinates which start being detectedwithin the first predetermined time period is two or more in step S504,control section 6 selects two immediate sets of xy coordinates fromamong the sets of the xy coordinates which start being detected withinthe first predetermined time period (step S510).

Next, in step S505, control section 6 determines whether or not adifference between the detection start times of the two sets ofimmediate xy coordinates is within a second predetermined time period(e.g. 1.00 second). When the difference is within the secondpredetermined time period (step S505: YES), control section 6 validatesthe two sets of the immediate xy coordinates (step S506). When thedetection states of the two sets of immediate xy coordinates are both 1(step S507: YES), the process repeats step S506 and step S507: YES andcontrol section 6 keeps the two immediate sets of xy coordinatesvalidated.

In addition, the second predetermined time period is principally shorterthan the first predetermined time period. Further, although controlsection 6 processes two immediate xy coordinates in step S510, stepS505, step S506 and step S507, control section 6 may process three ormore immediate sets of xy coordinates instead of two immediate sets ofxy coordinates.

When at least one of the detection states of the two sets of immediatexy coordinates is 0 in step S507 (step S507: NO), control section 6returns to step S501.

In step S505, when the difference between the detection start times ofthe two immediate sets of xy coordinates is not within the secondpredetermined time period (e.g. 1.00 second) (step S505: NO), controlsection 6 validates one immediate pair of xy coordinates (step S508).Control section 6 repeats step S508 and step S509: YES and keeps the oneimmediate pair of xy coordinates validated when the detection state ofthe one immediate pair of xy coordinates is 1 (step S509: YES).

Further, when the number of sets of xy coordinates which start beingdetected within the first predetermined time period is one in step S504,control section 6 validates a pair of xy coordinates corresponding toone pair of xy coordinates (i.e. one immediate pair of xy coordinates)(step S508). Control section 6 repeats step S508 and step S509: YES andkeeps the one immediate pair of xy coordinates validated when thedetection state of the one immediate pair of xy coordinates is 1 (stepS509: YES).

In step S509, control section 6 returns to step S501 when the detectionstate of the one immediate pair of xy coordinates is 0 (step S509: NO).

Further, when the number of sets of xy coordinates which start beingdetected within the first predetermined time period is zero in stepS504, control section 6 returns to step S501.

In addition, according to the coordinate determining method in FIG. 26,control section 6 does not principally validate a pair of xy coordinatesexcept to validate a pair of xy coordinates in step S506 or step S508.

Control section 6 determines coordinates of an indicator or the like asa whole by executing the coordinate determining method in FIG. 26 inaddition to the method of inputting the detection start times and thelike in FIG. 24 and the method of updating the detection states in FIG.25.

FIGS. 27A, 27B, 27C and 27D are schematic views each showing an exampleof coordinate determination. FIG. 27A corresponds to FIG. 23A, and showsan example in which coordinates of an indicator or the like in #2 and #3are validated. FIG. 27B corresponds to FIG. 23B, and shows anotherexample in which coordinates of an indicator or the like only in #3 arevalidated. FIG. 27C corresponds to FIG. 23C, and shows still anotherexample in which coordinates of an indicator or the like only in #3 arevalidated. FIG. 27D corresponds to FIG. 23D, and shows yet anotherexample in which coordinates of an indicator or the like in #1, #2 and#3 are not validated. These four examples will be described withreference to FIGS. 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, 27A, 27B, 27C and 27D. Meanwhile,the first predetermined time period is 2.00 seconds, and the secondpredetermined time period is 1.00 second.

When, for example, depression sensor 3 detects depression at 12 o'clock33 minutes 46.22 seconds in a state of the coordinate detection statemanagement table shown in FIG. 23A, a detection start time of theindicator or the like in #1 is before the first predetermined timeperiod (2.00 seconds) based on the depression time as shown in FIG. 27A,and a difference between the detection start times of the indicator orthe like in #2 and #3 is within the first predetermined time period.

Further, the detection start time of the indicator or the like in #3 isimmediate with respect to the depression time (the detection start timein #3 is closer to the depression time than the detection start time in#2). The detection start time in #2 is within the second predeterminedtime period (1.00 second) compared to the detection start time in #3.

When these examples are appropriated to the coordinate determiningmethod in FIG. 26 and depression sensor 3 detects depression (step S501and step S502: YES), control section 6 obtains the current time upondepression (12 o'clock 33 minutes 46.22 seconds) (step S503). The numberof sets of xy coordinates within the first predetermined time period(2.00 seconds) from the current time (12 o'clock 33 minutes 46.22seconds) is two in #2 and #3 among the coordinates in #1, #2 and #3which are being detected (step S504: two or more). Control section 6selects the coordinates in #2 and #3 within the first predetermined timeperiod (2.00 seconds) from the current time (12 o'clock 33 minutes 46.22seconds) (step S510).

Next, the difference between the coordinate detection start times in #2and #3 is within the second predetermined time period (1.00 second)(step S505: YES), and control section 6 validates the coordinates in #2and #3 (step S506). In addition, control section 6 does not validate thecoordinates in #1.

While the indicator or the like both in #2 and #3 is in the detectionstate (detection state=1) (repetition of step S507: YES and step S506),control section 6 continues validating the xy coordinates in #2 and #3.When the indicator in one of #2 and #3 is not in the detection state(detection state=0) (step S507: NO), control section 6 returns to thefirst step (step S501).

In addition, in FIGS. 27A, 27B, 27C and 27D, the horizontal axisindicates time, and time progresses rightward. On this horizontal axis,an outlined bold arrow indicates a time point when depression sensor 3detects depression, and thin arrows corresponding to #1, #2 and #3indicate detection start times of the indicator or the likecorresponding to #1, #2 and #3.

When, for example, depression sensor 3 detects depression at 14 o'clock01 minute 31.98 seconds in a state of the coordinate detection statemanagement table shown in FIG. 23B, a detection start time of theindicator or the like in #1 is before the first predetermined timeperiod (2.00 seconds) based on the depression time as shown in FIG. 27B,and a difference between the detection start times of the indicator orthe like in #2 and #3 is longer than the first predetermined timeperiod.

When these examples are applied to the coordinate determining method inFIG. 26 and depression sensor 3 detects depression (step S501 and stepS502: YES), control section 6 obtains the current time upon depression(14 o'clock 01 minute 31.98 seconds) (step S503). The number of sets ofxy coordinates within the first predetermined time period (2.00 seconds)from the current time (14 o'clock 01 minute 31.98 seconds) is two in #2and #3 among the coordinates in #1, #2 and #3 which are being detected(step S504: two or more). Control section 6 selects the coordinates in#2 and #3 within the first predetermined time period (2.00 seconds) fromthe current time (14 o'clock 01 minute 31.98 seconds) (step S510).

Next, the difference between the coordinate detection start times in #2and #3 is larger than the second predetermined time period (1.00 second)(step S505: NO), and control section 6 validates the coordinates in #3(step S508). In addition, control section 6 does not validate thecoordinates in #1 and #2.

While the indicator or the like in #3 is in the detection state(detection state=1) (repetition of step S509: YES and step S508),control section 6 continues validating the pair of xy coordinates in #3.When the indicator in #3 is not in the detection state (detectionstate=0) (step S509: NO), control section 6 returns to the first step(step S501).

When, for example, depression sensor 3 detects depression at 15 o'clock54 minutes 23.24 seconds in a state of the coordinate detection statemanagement table shown in FIG. 23C, a detection start time of theindicator or the like in #1 and #2 is before the first predeterminedtime period (2.00 seconds) based on the depression time as shown in FIG.27C, and the detection start time of the indicator or the like in #3 iswithin the first predetermined time period based on the depression time.

When these examples are applied to the coordinate determining method inFIG. 26 and depression sensor 3 detects depression (step S501 and stepS502: YES), control section 6 obtains the current time upon depression(15 o'clock 54 minutes 23.24 seconds) (step S503). The number of sets ofxy coordinates within the first predetermined time period (2.00 seconds)from the current time (15 o'clock 54 minutes 23.24 seconds) is one in #3among the coordinates in #1, #2 and #3 which are being detected (stepS504: one). Control section 6 validates the coordinates in #3 (stepS508). In addition, control section 6 does not validate the coordinatesin #1 and #2.

While the indicator or the like in #3 is in the detection state(detection state=1) (repetition of step S509: YES and step S508),control section 6 continues validating the pair of xy coordinates in #3.When the indicator in #3 is not in the detection state (detectionstate=0) (step S509: NO), control section 6 returns to the first step(step S501).

When, for example, depression sensor 3 detects depression at 16 o'clock01 minute 39.54 seconds in a state of the coordinate detection statemanagement table shown in FIG. 23D, detection start times of theindicator or the like in #1, #2 and #3 are before the firstpredetermined time period (2.00 seconds) based on the depression time asshown in FIG. 27D.

When these examples are applied to the coordinate determining method inFIG. 26 and depression sensor 3 detects depression (step S501 and stepS502: YES), control section 6 obtains the current time upon depression(16 o'clock 01 minutes 39.54 seconds) (step S503). The number of sets ofxy coordinates within the first predetermined time period (2.00 seconds)from the current time (16 o'clock 01 minute 39.54 seconds) is zero amongthe sets of coordinates in #1, #2 and #3 which are being detected (stepS504: zero). Control section 6 returns to the first step (step S501). Inthis example, control section 6 does not validate the sets ofcoordinates in #1, #2 and #3.

In addition, values of xyz coordinates in FIG. 23 are values indicatinga difference from the origin using a predetermined point as the originof xy. For example, the values are in units of mm. Here, “z” is a valueindicating a distance from an upper surface of glass 11 along adirection from the touch panel layer to glass 11 when the upper surfaceof glass 11 is 0. The values are in units of mm, for example. However, az coordinate takes a value based on an electrostatic-capacitance valueof an indicator, and slightly changes depending on the area of theindicator.

Further, two immediate sets of xy coordinates validated in step S506 canbe utilized for pinching operation, and one immediate pair of xycoordinates validated in step S508 can be utilized for a pointercoordinate.

According to the coordinate determining method in FIG. 26 describedabove, part of the coordinate determining method may be extracted andperformed. For example, step S501, step S502, step S503, step S504, stepS506 or step S508 may be extracted and performed. In this case, when aplurality of sets of two-dimensional coordinates are detected by thetouch panel section and when a predetermined amount of deformation isdetected by the depression detecting section, at least one pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected during the first predetermined timeperiod towards the past based on a time point when deformation isdetected is validated, and pairs of two-dimensional coordinates detectedbefore the predetermined time period based on the time point when thedeformation is detected are not validated. In a state where a conductivematerial such as a water droplet still adheres to a touch panel, pairsof two-dimensional coordinates detected during the predetermined timetowards the past based on a time point when operation is performed notonly with a bare hand but also with a hand in a glove and depression isdetected are validated, and pairs of two-dimensional coordinates beforethe predetermined time period are not validated. Consequently, it ispossible to more reliably execute operation not only with a bare handbut also with a hand in a glove which is highly likely to be within thepredetermined time immediately before depression and further preventerroneous detection of adherence of a water droplet as operation whichis highly likely to be before the predetermined time period.

Further, for example, step S501, step S502, step S503, step S504 andstep S508 may be extracted and performed. In this case, when a pluralityof pairs of two-dimensional coordinates are detected by the touch panelsection and when a predetermined amount of deformation is detected bythe depression detecting section, at least one pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates detected is validated among pairs of two-dimensionalcoordinates detected during the first predetermined time period towardsthe past based on a time point when deformation is detected isvalidated, and pairs of two-dimensional coordinates detected before thefirst predetermined time period based on the time point when thedeformation is detected are not validated. In a state where a conductivematerial such as a water droplet still adheres to a touch panel, when atleast one pair of two-dimensional coordinates is validated, pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected during the predetermined timetowards the past based on a time point when operation is performed notonly with a bare hand but also with a hand in a glove and depression isdetected are validated, and pairs of two-dimensional coordinates beforethe predetermined time period are not validated. Consequently, it ispossible to more reliably execute operation not only with a bare handbut also with a hand in a glove which are highly likely to be within thepredetermined time immediately before depression and further preventerroneous detection of adherence of a water droplet as operation whichis highly likely to be before the predetermined time period. Inaddition, an immediate pair of coordinates is validated within thepredetermined period, so that it is possible to further preventerroneous detection of adherence of a water droplet as operation.

Further, for example, step S501, step S502, step S503, step S504, stepS508 and step S509 may be extracted and performed. In this case, afteran immediate pair of two-dimensional coordinates based on the time pointwhen the deformation is detected is validated among pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected during the first predetermined timeperiod towards past based on the time point when the deformation isdetected, and while the indicator which indicates the validated pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates moves away from the touch panel section atthe predetermined distance, a change in the validated pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates can be followed and a pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates newly detected after the validation andindicated by the indicator is not validated. Consequently, it ispossible to further prevent erroneous detection of adherence of a waterdroplet as operation after the immediate pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates is validated.

Further, for example, step S501, step S502, step S503, step S504, stepS510, step S505, step S506 and step S508 may be extracted and performed.In this case, when a plurality of pairs of two-dimensional coordinatesare detected by the touch panel section and when a predetermined amountof deformation is detected by the depression detecting section, twoimmediate pairs of two-dimensional coordinates based on the time pointwhen the deformation is detected are selected from pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected during the first predetermined timeperiod towards the past based on the time point when the deformation isdetected, when a difference between detection start times of theindicator which indicates the two selected pairs of two-dimensionalcoordinates is smaller than a second predetermined time period, the twoselected pairs of two-dimensional coordinates are validated, and whenthe difference between detection start times of the indicators whichindicate the two selected pairs of two-dimensional coordinates is largerthan the second predetermined time period, one immediate pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates based on the time point when the deformationis detected is validated. In a state where a conductive material such asa water droplet still adheres to a touch panel, two immediate pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates are selected from pairs of two-dimensionalcoordinates detected during the first predetermined time period towardsthe past based on the time point when operation is performed not onlywith a bare hand but also with a hand in a glove and depression isdetected. Validating the two immediate pairs of two-dimensionalcoordinates based on the difference between the two immediate detectionstart times and validating one immediate pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates is switched so as not to validate a pair of two-dimensionalcoordinate before the validated pair of two-dimensional coordinates.Consequently, it is possible to more reliably execute operation not onlywith a bare hand but also with a hand in a glove which are highly likelyto be within the first predetermined time immediately before depressionand further prevent erroneous detection of adherence of a water dropletas operation which is highly likely to be before the first predeterminedtime period. Further, it is possible to support one-point touch andtwo-point touch.

Further, for example, step S501, step S502, step S503, step S504, stepS510, step S505, step S506, step S507, step S508 and the like may beextracted and performed. In this regard, after the two selected pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates are validated, while one of indicators whichindicates the validated pairs of two-dimensional coordinate moves awayfrom the touch panel section at the predetermined distance, a change inthe validated pairs of two-dimensional coordinates can be followed and apair of two-dimensional coordinates newly detected after the validationand indicated by the indicator is not validated. Consequently, it ispossible to further prevent erroneous detection of adherence of a waterdroplet as operation after the two pairs of immediate two-dimensionalcoordinates is validated.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful for techniques (for example,apparatuses, systems, methods, programs, or the like) which use anelectrostatic-capacitance touch panel.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 Electronic device-   2 Touch panel layer-   3 Depression sensor-   4 Display section-   5 Storage section-   6 Control section-   10 Housing-   11 Glass-   12 Frame portion-   23 Recessed portion-   30 Icon-   41 LCD-   42 Backlight-   70 Finger-   71 Glove-   80, 81 Water droplet

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a housing; adisplay that is disposed inside the housing and that displayspredetermined information; an electrostatic-capacitance touch panel thatallows visible light corresponding to display contents of the display topass through the electrostatic-capacitance touch panel; a transparentmember that protects the touch panel and that allows the visible lightcorresponding to the display contents of the display to pass through thetransparent member; and a depression detector that detects deformationof the transparent member, wherein the touch panel is configured todetect a pair of two-dimensional coordinates indicated by an indicatorhaving predetermined conductivity, wherein when the touch panel detectsa plurality of pairs of two-dimensional coordinates and when thedepression detector detects a predetermined amount of deformation; atleast one pair of two-dimensional coordinates detected during apredetermined time period prior to a time when the deformation isdetected is validated; and a pair of two-dimensional coordinatesdetected before the predetermined time period prior to the time when thedeformation is detected, is not validated, wherein the predeterminedtime period does not include a deformation of an amount equal to orgreater than the predetermined amount of deformation.
 2. The electronicdevice according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period doesnot include the time when the deformation is detected.
 3. The electronicdevice according to claim 1, wherein, when the touch panel detects aplurality of the pairs of two-dimensional coordinates and when thedepression detector detects the predetermined amount of deformation: oneimmediate pair of two-dimensional coordinates, based on the time whenthe deformation is detected, is validated, among the pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected during a predetermined time periodprior to the time when the deformation is detected; and a pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected before the predetermined timeperiod, based on the time when the deformation is detected, is notvalidated, and a pair of two-dimensional coordinates, other than the oneimmediate pair of two-dimensional coordinates, among the pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected during the predetermined timeperiod, is not validated.
 4. The electronic device according to claim 3,wherein, after the immediate pair of two-dimensional coordinates, basedon the time when the deformation is detected, is validated, among thepairs of two-dimensional coordinates detected during the predeterminedtime period prior to the time when the deformation is detected, whilethe indicator, that indicates the validated pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates, moves away from the touch panel at a predetermineddistance, a change in the validated pair of two-dimensional coordinatesis trackable, and a pair of two-dimensional coordinates, newly detectedafter the validation and indicated by the indicator, is not validated.5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the predeterminedtime period is a first predetermined time period, and when the touchpanel detects a plurality of the pairs of two-dimensional coordinatesand when the depression detector detects the predetermined amount ofdeformation; two immediate pairs of two-dimensional coordinates, basedon the time when the deformation is detected, are selected from pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected during the first predetermined timeperiod prior to the time when the deformation is detected; when adifference between detection start times of the indicator that indicatesthe two selected pairs of two-dimensional coordinates is smaller than asecond predetermined time period, the two selected pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates are validated; and when the differencebetween detection start times of the indicator that indicates the twoselected pairs of two-dimensional coordinates is larger than the secondpredetermined time period, one immediate pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates, based on the time when the deformation is detected, isvalidated.
 6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein thesecond predetermined time period is shorter than the first predeterminedtime period.
 7. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein,after the two selected pairs of two-dimensional coordinates arevalidated, while one of indicators that indicates the validated pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates moves away from the touch panel at thepredetermined distance, a change in the validated pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates is trackable, and a pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates newly detected after the validation and indicated by theindicator is not validated.
 8. A coordinate detecting method to be usedfor an electronic device that includes: a housing; a display that isdisposed inside the housing and that displays predetermined information;an electrostatic-capacitance touch panel that allows visible lightcorresponding to display contents of the display to pass through theelectrostatic-capacitance touch panel; a transparent member thatprotects the touch panel and that allows visible light corresponding todisplay contents of the display to pass through the transparent member;and a depression detector that detects deformation of the transparentmember, wherein the touch panel is configured to detect a pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates indicated by an indicator havingpredetermined conductivity, the method comprising: when the touch paneldetects a plurality of pairs of two-dimensional coordinates and when thedepression detector detects a predetermined amount of deformation afterthe pairs of two-dimensional coordinates are detected, validating atleast one pair of two-dimensional coordinates detected during apredetermined time period prior to a time when the deformation isdetected; and not validating a pair of two-dimensional coordinatesdetected before the predetermined time period prior to the time when thedeformation is detected, wherein the predetermined time period does notinclude a deformation of an amount equal to or greater than thepredetermined amount of deformation.
 9. The electronic device accordingto claim 1, wherein the deformation detected by the depression detectordoes not provide an input independent of the inputs of the pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates.
 10. The coordinate detecting methodaccording to claim 8, wherein the predetermined time period does notinclude the time when the deformation is detected.
 11. The coordinatedetecting method according to claim 8, wherein, when the touch paneldetects a plurality of the pairs of two-dimensional coordinates and whenthe depression detector detects the predetermined amount of deformation:one immediate pair of two-dimensional coordinates, based on the timewhen the deformation is detected, is validated, among the pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected during a predetermined time periodprior to the time when the deformation is detected; and a pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected before the predetermined timeperiod, based on the time when the deformation is detected, is notvalidated, and a pair of two-dimensional coordinates, other than the oneimmediate pair of two-dimensional coordinates, among the pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates detected during the predetermined timeperiod, is not validated.
 12. The coordinate detecting method accordingto claim 11, wherein, after the immediate pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates, based on the time when the deformation is detected, isvalidated, among the pairs of two-dimensional coordinates detectedduring the predetermined time period prior to the time when thedeformation is detected, while the indicator, that indicates thevalidated pair of two-dimensional coordinates, moves away from the touchpanel at a predetermined distance, a change in the validated pair oftwo-dimensional coordinates is trackable, and a pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates, newly detected after the validation and indicated by theindicator, is not validated.
 13. The coordinate detecting methodaccording to claim 8, wherein the predetermined time period is a firstpredetermined time period, and when the touch panel detects a pluralityof the pairs of two-dimensional coordinates and when the depressiondetector detects the predetermined amount of deformation; two immediatepairs of two-dimensional coordinates, based on the time when thedeformation is detected, are selected from pairs of two-dimensionalcoordinates detected during the first predetermined time period prior tothe time when the deformation is detected; when a difference betweendetection start times of the indicator that indicates the two selectedpairs of two-dimensional coordinates is smaller than a secondpredetermined time period, the two selected pairs of two-dimensionalcoordinates are validated; and when the difference between detectionstart times of the indicator that indicates the two selected pairs oftwo-dimensional coordinates is larger than the second predetermined timeperiod, one immediate pair of two-dimensional coordinates, based on thetime when the deformation is detected, is validated.
 14. The coordinatedetecting method according to claim 13, wherein the second predeterminedtime period is shorter than the first predetermined time period.
 15. Thecoordinate detecting method according to claim 13, wherein, after thetwo selected pairs of two-dimensional coordinates are validated, whileone of indicators that indicates the validated pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates moves away from the touch panel at the predetermineddistance, a change in the validated pair of two-dimensional coordinatesis trackable, and a pair of two-dimensional coordinates newly detectedafter the validation and indicated by the indicator is not validated.16. The coordinate detecting method according to claim 8, wherein thedeformation detected by the depression detector does not provide aninput independent of the inputs of the pair of two-dimensionalcoordinates.